Chapter 101

The Southern Frontier Prison is holding its former leader for the first time.

Nan Qi and Chen Cong knelt in the middle, their skin torn and bleeding, almost turning into bloody messes.

Li Tianyi sat expressionlessly at the head of the table, his body slightly leaning back in the chair due to weakness, but his imperial majesty remained undiminished.

Nan Shi stood silently to the side, his eyes devoid of any emotion as he looked at his friend.

He hadn't expected Nanqi to be so bold, concealing the news about the late empress and even going so far as to arrest people on his own. Nanqi's purpose was not hard to guess.

The whip, soaked in salt water, continued to lash Nanqi and Chen Cong.

Nan Qi hung his head and remained silent, while Chen Cong glared resentfully at the emperor before him.

Li Tianyi didn't take Chen Cong's gaze to heart. His indifference wasn't out of magnanimity, but because the fate of Nan Qi and Chen Cong was already sealed.

"You know what to do if you betray me!"

Li Tianyi straightened his dragon robe and stood up indifferently. Nan Shi threw the sword in his hand in front of Nan Qi and Chen Cong.

The two turned and left, and soon after, two heavy thuds were heard behind them as they fell to the ground.

In her final moments, Nanqi slowly curled the corners of her lips into a smile. She was still alive... That's good...

The Nan and Chen mansions were raided and sealed off overnight, all their property was looted, but no one discovered that Nan Qi's study had a hidden door, behind which lay a secret room containing a stunning portrait...

"Ah!" A shrill scream echoed throughout the entire dungeon.

Mu Fangfang's face was as pale as paper, and she kept screaming in agony.

She had her fingers clamped between the splints, with a strong man on each side pulling hard on the ropes of the splints.

The excruciating pain tormented Mu Fangfang, causing her to faint quickly and then be jolted awake by the intense pain.

Xie Tianrui watched this scene with indifference, a cold glint in his eyes, and Qingfeng beside him had the same expression.

During the day, Xie Tianrui was just running errands, but when he returned home, everything seemed to collapse.

Emperor Chengyuan just sent a woman to the Jiangyang Marquis's residence, claiming she was the lost Lady Jiangyang Marquis.

Xie Tianrui knew His Majesty's intentions, but he was powerless to resist. All he could do was imprison the culprit who caused him to lose Rongrong in the Marquis's mansion dungeon.

"Xie Tianrui! You beast! You repay kindness with enmity! You're worse than a pig or a dog!" Mu Fangfang cursed, her eyes filled with venom, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

Xie Tianrui said coldly, "Continue!"

The screams suddenly rose in the next second.

"Don't let her die, I want her to suffer every day!" Xie Tianrui said coldly.

A huge sense of panic welled up in Mu Fangfang's heart.

Being tormented day and night is worse than death.

"I curse you to a terrible death! And may Rong Rong also die a horrible death..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Tianrui slapped Mu Fangfang across the face, and half of her face swelled up rapidly like a steamed bun.

Mu Fangfang gasped for breath, her face flushed red, making it impossible for her to speak.

She finally closed her eyes, steeled her resolve, and bit her tongue hard.

However, another wave of excruciating pain struck, and her jaw was instantly dislocated. When she opened her eyes again, she was met with Xie Tianrui's cruel smile right in front of her.

"Want to die? Dream on!"

"As long as Rong Rong doesn't return, I'll cut off a piece of your flesh every day. Don't worry, I won't take your life; I'll just make you wish you were dead!"

It sounded like a voice from hell.

Mu Fangfang looked terrified and shook her head frantically.

She finally felt scared, "Waaaaah!"

She kowtowed frantically, desperately trying to speak, begging Xie Tianrui to let her go. She dared not do it again, dared not hurt Rong Rong anymore, and dared not have any more delusions about Xie Tianrui.

She was wrong! Utterly wrong!

Originally, she could have lived a good life by relying on the kindness of saving Xie Tianrui and the Grand Princess. She could have become famous and opened her own clinic to save lives!

Instead of suffering like this now.

However, her regret and her tears could not bring Rong Rong back.

Is Mu Fangfang in pain?

But none of them were as heartbroken as Xie Tianrui!

Xie Tianrui suddenly turned around and strode away, leaving Mu Fangfang's screams and sobs behind.

He will not give up on Rong Rong!

He will save Rong Rong one day!

In Xie Tianrui and Qingfeng's minds, Rongrong was forced into the palace.

After all, the emperor was old and frail, and Rong Rong would never be interested in someone like Emperor Chengyuan.

Xie Tianrui remembered that Rong Rong had initially been attracted to his body, which was why she took Mu Fangfang's place and came to his side.

Rongrong loved him, and she loved his strong body, powerful arms and handsome face.

When Li Tianyi returned to the Taihe Hall, Rong Rong had already fallen asleep.

He didn't rush to sleep; he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep all night.

He tried his best to pull Rongrong into his arms, and the simple action left him breathless.

He had never cared about his health before, but at this moment he finally felt regret.

Heaven had been kind to him, sending Rong Rong along, but this time, it was he who had to leave.

I don't know whether I should be happy or sad.

Li Tianyi lowered his head, carefully tracing Rong Rong's eyebrows and eyes with his gaze. He thought that if there were an afterlife, he hoped to see Rong Rong again.

He will definitely protect the person and never lose them again.

Countless people couldn't sleep that night.

When Rong Rong woke up, Li Tianyi was no longer by her side. Compared to Li Tianyi's leisurely attitude when she was at the Third Prince's residence, Rong Rong felt that this was better.

Whether it was because Li Tianyi was ill or something else, Rong Rong could sense that Li Tianyi seemed to be avoiding her.

The once gentle and refined gentleman has vanished into history.

Rong Rong sighed inwardly.

It was at this moment that Rong Rong clearly realized what kind of strong heart was needed to be a mission taker.

As time passes, those who were once cared for or deeply loved by the mission takers will eventually grow old and leave, and this will happen repeatedly.

In the end, only the person who completed the mission will remain.

Those who undertake tasks must adapt to loneliness and, more importantly, learn to regulate their emotions.

Rong Rong was very perceptive, and Li Tianyi was indeed somewhat afraid to face her because aging had made him feel inferior.

Rong Rong, in particular, still looks just like she did back then, breathtakingly beautiful.

Li Tianyi didn't want Rong Rong to see his ugly appearance, and sometimes he even wished he could hide away.

This is also why Li Tianyi returned to his palace very late last night and left quietly this morning.

The morning court session in southern Xinjiang was much more lively than usual.

Emperor Chengyuan, who had not attended court for a long time, finally appeared in the court.

However, the ministers immediately noticed Emperor Chengyuan's weakness.

The Crown Prince sat in the seat closest to the dragon throne below the hall, his eyes filled with complex emotions as he looked at Emperor Chengyuan.

On the one hand, he wanted his father to be well and healthy; on the other hand, he wanted his father to pass away so that he would have a chance to get Rong Rong.

Upon realizing this, the crown prince was terrified and quickly lowered his head, his sleeves clenched tightly.

He tried his best to conceal the expression in his eyes, but the Crown Prince, who had his head down, did not see that Emperor Chengyuan's gaze toward him had become colder.